Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 506

Chapter 506
Two days had passed since our departure from the Beast Palace of Yunnan.

After flying for another half-day further into Sichuan, an imposing mountain temple came into view. At the heart of its courtyards stood a tremendous statue of the Tathagata Buddha. The main hall’s pillars were adorned with exquisitely painted lotus motifs.

‘Where is this?’

Could such a magnificent temple exist in Sichuan without my knowledge? Its scale was so impressive—the vast prayer hall, the colossal Buddha—that as a resident of Sichuan, I felt I should have at least heard rumors of it. I observed more carefully from above.

Then it dawned on me.

It wasn’t a memory or the architecture that gave it away. It was the fact that only women moved within its walls.

A temple in Sichuan inhabited solely by women?

It could only be the forbidden sanctuary of the Emei Sect.

Throughout Murim, there were two places where men were absolutely forbidden: Mount Putuo in the southern sea, and the Emei Sect in Sichuan. I had already set foot on Mount Putuo, and now I was gazing down upon Emei from the skies.

I was possibly the most fortunate man in the entire martial world.

In my previous life, this would be equivalent to being the sole male visitor to the two most exclusive women’s universities.

‘To have personally laid eyes on both of the great martial women’s sanctuaries… now that’s an accomplishment.’

I was indulging in that very thought when—

A sudden shiver ran through us.

Both Cho and Yeondu trembled and spoke up.
—Tsrut. 『D-Daddy, it’s cold.』
—Shaaa. 『I am also cold, Lord So-ryong.』

“Ah, right. It’s the heart of winter.”

Now that they mentioned it, I could feel the biting air. Having reached the Fire Realm, I was less affected by the cold, but Cho and Yeondu were clearly suffering.

It was indeed deep winter in Sichuan. While the climate here was generally temperate and seldom fell below freezing, it was far from warm. Furthermore, although they were both dressed in the winter garments Yo-hwa had made for them, flying at speed sapped their body heat rapidly, intensifying the chill.

“We should land for a while.”

There was no alternative. I recalled a similar situation when I aided Gun Hye-rin. As before, I decided we needed to build a fire, warm ourselves, and then continue.

The Tang Clan was now close, and we had arrived ahead of schedule, so we had time to spare. We had anticipated a journey of three or four days, yet we reached Sichuan in just two and a half. We could afford a brief rest.

“Let’s set down over there.”

Though Gun Hye-rin had taught me ki circulation, my control was still imperfect, and I couldn’t yet use it to shield the children from the cold. I reminded myself to practice more diligently for next time.

We flew past Mount Emei and descended onto a nearby forested hill.

Immediately upon landing, I began gathering dry branches.

—Whoosh!

I stacked pine branches and used the Sammae True Flame technique Gun Hye-rin taught me to spark a fire. Flames leapt up instantly.

I ushered the children close to the fire to warm themselves.
—Tsrururu. 『Ah… this feels good.』
—Shaaaa. 『I’m getting sleepy…』

The fire’s warmth made them drowsy, and they closed their eyes with contented expressions.

“You two…”

I intended to take off again after about a dakyung, once the children were warmed through, and head for the Tang Clan.

But their sleepy demeanor had vanished, replaced by them edging nearer and nearer to the flames.

Finding this strange, I glanced around and noticed the air was growing colder. Frost was beginning to crystallize on the previously clear ground.

“What in the world? It’s getting colder? Kids, be careful not to get too close.”
—Tsrut. 『But Daddy, it’s strangely cold.』
—Shaaa. 『Lord So-ryong, it keeps getting colder…』
“Really? It does feel that way, doesn’t it?”

I was still wondering about it when I heard Cho cry out sharply.
—Tsst. 『Ah! That’s cold!』

At her exclamation, I looked over to see a droplet beading on her antennae. For an insect like Cho, the antennae are the most sensitive parts.

Was it raining? I looked up at the sky—

But it wasn’t rain. It was something that rarely ever appears in Sichuan.

Snowflakes were floating down, swirling gently in the air.

Snow meant the temperature had fallen below freezing. This was unmistakably one of those rare cold snaps, perhaps once every ten or twenty years.

‘You’ve got to be kidding me, why now? Maybe it will only be a light dusting and stop?’

I hoped the snow wouldn’t disrupt our travel plans, but against my wishes, it swiftly intensified into a blizzard.

And the temperature kept dropping.

It felt like it had plunged to at least minus ten degrees Celsius. I knew for certain because the hairs in my nostrils froze with each breath I took—something I’d only experienced at sub-zero ski resorts in my past life.

Even with the Tang Clan nearly in sight, we couldn’t proceed. The temperature was brutally low, and the snow was falling so thickly that visibility was nearly zero. We were stranded.

I attempted to fly above the cloud layer with the children, but even then, I couldn’t discern the landscape below, forcing us to descend again. Without a view of the ground, navigation was impossible.

It was freezing, snowing heavily, and we could barely see. We required shelter until the storm passed.

It was then that I noticed the statue of the Tathagata Buddha below. It almost seemed to have turned to face us through the swirling snow.

The sight gave me a slight start, but was quickly followed by relief. That place would certainly provide refuge from the cold and snow.

“Kids, this way!”
—Tsrururu 『Yes, Daddy!』

I called to the children and flew toward the temple gates.

We landed directly before the mountain gate of the Emei Sect.

The nuns standing sword-guard and those sweeping snow near the entrance all let out simultaneous screams upon seeing us.
“Eeeek!”
“Kyaaa!”

Amid the commotion, I offered a respectful martial salute and spoke.
“I apologize for the disturbance. I am So-ryong of the Tang Clan. We are travelers caught in this severe cold and snow. Might we beg a moment’s shelter?”

One of the startled nuns then seemed to collect herself and answered in a voice I recognized.
“Amitabha. I am Yeonsu of Emei. We have met on a few occasions, have we not?”
“Ah, Monk Yeonsu!”

We had encountered each other before, in the capital of Sichuan and at the Tang Clan.

I smiled in a friendly manner, and she continued with a regretful expression.
“You have changed so much I did not recognize you at first, but of course—it is you, Little Hero So. With spirit beasts such as these, who else in Murim could it be? Yet I must apologize… pitiable as your circumstances are, you are aware of the rules of Emei, are you not?”
“Were you a woman, we would naturally offer shelter from the cold and snow… but men are prohibited from entering the grounds of the Emei Sect. However, outside, in that pavilion over there, perhaps…”

As anticipated, the answer was that no men could enter.

It was the reply I had expected, so I responded cheerfully.
“Ah, of course, I understand completely. That is precisely why—might you at least permit my daughter and my younger sister to take shelter from the snow and cold?”
“Your… daughter and sister?”

When I turned to indicate Cho and Yeondu, the nuns of the Emei Sect stood utterly still.

***

Two days later, the snow ceased, and the bitter cold receded.

The area had become a slushy mire from the melting snow.

We stood at the Emei Sect’s mountain gate to exchange farewells.
“We must be going now. Thank you for your hospitality these past two days!”
“Amitabha. It was nothing, Little Hero So. Travel safely, children.”
“Farewell, Cho, Yeondu.”
—Tsrururu. 『Goodbye, sisters.』

Though the nuns had been unable to refuse once the children spoke to them directly—initially reacting with terror and ushering them inside in a fluster—after two days, they had become quite amiable.

I had been concerned the children might be aloof with anyone but me, but perhaps they were developing some social aptitude? Maybe they were maturing and changing.

With that thought, I took to the skies toward the Tang Clan.

This morning marked the fifth day since we had left the Beast Palace.

Although we reached Sichuan early, the snow and cold had forced us to take shelter at the Emei Sect, meaning we would now arrive at the Tang Clan on the fifth day total. One day later than my original estimate of three days.

Still, since we had reached Sichuan in only two days, being delayed two full days by the weather yet still arriving in five meant the situation wasn’t dire. Bringing Ho-ye would slow us down due to the weight, but we still had ample time to return within the next five days.

‘The delay is unfortunate, but the children were faster than I predicted, so the schedule remains manageable.’

The weather was now clear, and the children were rested and restored, so we flew to the Tang Clan without further interruption.

I landed right in front of the Clan Leader’s Hall, where my father-in-law would be.
“So—So-ryong-nim!?”

The guards at the entrance were as astonished to see me as Gu Pae had been.

I quickly called for them to announce my arrival inside.
“Is my father-in-law present? Please inform him!”
“Y-Yes, sir! Clan Head! So-ryong-nim, who was in Yunnan, has returned!”

—Crash! Bang! Clatter!
“My son-in-law is here!?”

Hearing of my arrival, my father-in-law rushed out as if bracing for an emergency.

When his eyes found me, his face was a picture of astonishment.
“What in heaven’s name? Weren’t you meant to be in Yunnan? And where is Hwa-eun?”

He appeared genuinely alarmed that I had returned alone after going there to be married. Did he suspect we had argued and I had come back by myself?

“Ah, it’s nothing like that. Please don’t worry. Everything is fine between us—it’s merely that a matter has arisen with the Martial Alliance forces stationed in Yunnan…”

I first set his mind at ease and then promptly explained my reason for returning to the Tang Clan so abruptly.
“I see. So you need to take Ho-ye with you?”
“Yes, Father-in-law.”
“Then it must be urgent. Let us not delay!”
“Understood!”

Now that is a father-in-law’s genuine care for his son-in-law. Is he not the one who understands me even better than Hwa-eun herself? He is precisely the type who would support me if Hwa-eun and I ever had a disagreement.

Grasping the urgency, he immediately shouted orders to the guards nearby.
“Quickly, assist my son-in-law! Prepare for Ho-ye’s transport!”
“Yes, Clan Head!”

The guards who had been stationed at the Clan Head’s Hall all hurried off toward the pond.

There, thanks to the recent snowfall, Sunbaek (Baek Seolgap) and Baekbaek were out walking.
“Kids!”
—Bbaeu-uuu.
—Bbaaae!

Hearing my voice, they scampered toward me.

I patted Sunbaek’s head, and as Baekbaek clung to my leg, I lifted her into my arms.
“You’ve gotten so big, little one.”

Children grow so quickly, and the change was noticeable even after only a few days. Baekbaek had clearly grown since I last saw her. She still had her soft baby fur, but her eyes were brighter, and her shell had become considerably sturdier. As it was winter, she could absorb more cold energy, making this an ideal environment for her.
“Look at this belly.”

I was just about to blow a raspberry on her round, soft-looking stomach when Sunbaek called out.
—Bbaeu?

I had already told her I would be spending time in a warm place until spring, so she was likely asking if I was back to stay. I shook my head.
“No, I’ve only returned briefly. I must leave again soon.”
—Bbaeu-uuu.
—Tsrururu. 『She says to be careful, Daddy.』
“Yes. You look after the little one, too. Oh, but I can’t leave just like this. You little rascal, Baekbaek.”

I blew a raspberry on Baekbaek’s belly, making her laugh until she was almost breathless, then I approached the waiting Ho-ye: Seom and Byeok.

They were now well-trained and seemed genuinely pleased to see me.

I stroked their heads and explained the situation. That there were many dangerous things happening and I required their assistance.
“…And that is why I need you.”
—Waaae.
—Waaae.

They nodded without a moment’s hesitation, as if it were the most natural thing in the world to help.

Just then, the warriors finished preparing the water pouches and called out.
“So-ryong-nim! Everything is ready!”

The pouches had been immersed in the pond and dragged to fill them with a sufficient amount of water. Too much would make them heavy and hinder our speed. We only needed enough to prevent their skin from drying out, and I decided we could remove a bit more after the children were loaded inside.
“Alright, climb in.”

I pointed to the pouches the warriors were holding. Seom and Byeok blinked, as if to ask, ‘Are you serious?’
“Yes. We are flying now.”

At my reply, there was a moment of silence… followed by the sound of mournful wails.

As if they were pleading: Whyyyy?
—Waaaeaaa?
—Waaaeaa?